How much do you know about rioting in Somerset and Dorset during the campaign for parliamentary reform in 1831?
Free Workshop
In October 1831, after the defeat of the Second Reform Bill in the house of Lords, rioting broke out in a number of places in Britain, and locally in Dorset and Somerset.
The University of the West of England and the University of Sussex are leading a three year research project to find out more about these important events and to better understand them in their local context. You can find out more about the project here.
Now we’re inviting you to a free public workshop at the Somerset Heritage Centre in Taunton on Monday 8 November where we’ll explore what happened across the whole country, then take a more detailed look at the riots in Yeovil (21 and 22 October 1831).
We’re interested in questions like these:
- How and why do peaceful protests develop into riots?
- Why do some places riot while others don’t?
- Who were the rioters in 1831 and what did they hope to gain?
- What did the rioters actually do?
- How effective was the response of the local authorities and law courts?
We’re hoping you’ll be able to help us get to grips with the local perspective. Perhaps you’re familiar with Yeovil and its surrounding area, and know something about its history. Maybe you’ve come across references to the riots while researching your own family history or the history of your local town or village? Perhaps you have a Yeovil Riot Jug in your cupboard! Or perhaps you’re just curious to find out more…
Please come and join us!
Venue: Somerset Heritage Centre, Taunton, TA2 6SF
Workshop Date: Monday 8 November 2021, 1.00 pm-4.00 pm
Registration: LINK
Our website: riot1831.com